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Uterine Irrigator

Uterine Irrigator

Midwives have been helping deliver babies for millennia. Midwives in the early 20th century, with the advent of big-city hospitals continued to serve the needs of immigrants and rural American women.

The owner of this midwife kit was Rosa Bonfante. Rosa was from Palermo, Sicily, and immigrated to the United States in 1922, settling first in Buffalo, NY, and later in Albany. Her satchel and its contents, along with her story are shrouded in mystery. Rosa's grandson, Joseph Badlotto, writes in a brief statement that according to family lore, Rosa had an affair in Sicily with Carlo Chirchirillo (the donor's natural grandfather). Born of that affair in 1918 was a baby girl, named Mary (the donor's mother). Carlos and his wife, Felicia, raised the child, and in 1920 immigrated to the United States. Rosa followed about two years later posing as the child's godmother. Years passed before the truth about Mary's parentage became known.

Black uterine irrigator with a slight curve. A tube has one bulbous end with four indentations, each with two holes. the opposite end has two grooves for a hose attachment. the material is most likely hard rubber or a type of hard plastic. The irrigator was part of a midwifes kit from Buffalo, NY about 1920.

Location

Currently not on view

Measurements

overall: 1/2 in x 6 1/8 in x 7/8 in; 1.27 cm x 15.5575 cm x 2.2225 cm

overall: 15.25 cm x 2 cm x 1.5 cm; 6 in x 25/32 in x 19/32 in

ID Number

2012.0128.30

accession number

2012.0128

catalog number

2012.0128.30

Credit Line

Gift from Joseph Badlotto in memory of Rosa Bonfante and her daughter Mary Bonfante Chirchirillo Badlotto